First Gentleman. His daughter, and the heir of's kingdom, whom
He purposed to his wife's sole son—a widow
That late he married—hath referr'd herself
Unto a poor but worthy gentleman: she's wedded;
Her husband banish'd; she imprison'd: all
10Is outward sorrow; though I think the king
Be touch'd at very heart.

First Gentleman. He that hath lost her too; so is the queen,
That most desired the match; but not a courtier,
15Although they wear their faces to the bent
Of the king's look's, hath a heart that is not
Glad at the thing they scowl at.

First Gentleman. He that hath miss'd the princess is a thing
20Too bad for bad report: and he that hath her—
I mean, that married her, alack, good man!
And therefore banish'd—is a creature such
As, to seek through the regions of the earth
For one his like, there would be something failing
25In him that should compare. I do not think
So fair an outward and such stuff within
Endows a man but he.

First Gentleman. I cannot delve him to the root: his father
Was call'd Sicilius, who did join his honour
35Against the Romans with Cassibelan,
But had his titles by Tenantius whom
He served with glory and admired success,
So gain'd the sur-addition Leonatus;
And had, besides this gentleman in question,
40Two other sons, who in the wars o' the time
Died with their swords in hand; for which
their father,
Then old and fond of issue, took such sorrow
That he quit being, and his gentle lady,
45Big of this gentleman our theme, deceased
As he was born. The king he takes the babe
To his protection, calls him Posthumus Leonatus,
Breeds him and makes him of his bed-chamber,
Puts to him all the learnings that his time
50Could make him the receiver of; which he took,
As we do air, fast as 'twas minister'd,
And in's spring became a harvest, lived in court—
Which rare it is to do—most praised, most loved,
A sample to the youngest, to the more mature
55A glass that feated them, and to the graver
A child that guided dotards; to his mistress,
For whom he now is banish'd, her own price
Proclaims how she esteem'd him and his virtue;
By her election may be truly read
60What kind of man he is.

Second Gentleman. I honour him
Even out of your report. But, pray you, tell me,
Is she sole child to the king?

First Gentleman. His only child.
65He had two sons: if this be worth your hearing,
Mark it: the eldest of them at three years old,
I' the swathing-clothes the other, from their nursery
Were stol'n, and to this hour no guess in knowledge
Which way they went.
70

First Gentleman. We must forbear: here comes the gentleman,
80The queen, and princess.

[Exeunt]

[Enter the QUEEN, POSTHUMUS LEONATUS, and IMOGEN]

Queen. No, be assured you shall not find me, daughter,
After the slander of most stepmothers,
85Evil-eyed unto you: you're my prisoner, but
Your gaoler shall deliver you the keys
That lock up your restraint. For you, Posthumus,
So soon as I can win the offended king,
I will be known your advocate: marry, yet
90The fire of rage is in him, and 'twere good
You lean'd unto his sentence with what patience
Your wisdom may inform you.

Queen. You know the peril.
I'll fetch a turn about the garden, pitying
The pangs of barr'd affections, though the king
Hath charged you should not speak together.

[Exit]

Imogen. O
Dissembling courtesy! How fine this tyrant
Can tickle where she wounds! My dearest husband,
I something fear my father's wrath; but nothing—
Always reserved my holy duty—what
105His rage can do on me: you must be gone;
And I shall here abide the hourly shot
Of angry eyes, not comforted to live,
But that there is this jewel in the world
That I may see again.
110

Posthumus Leonatus. My queen! my mistress!
O lady, weep no more, lest I give cause
To be suspected of more tenderness
Than doth become a man. I will remain
The loyal'st husband that did e'er plight troth:
115My residence in Rome at one Philario's,
Who to my father was a friend, to me
Known but by letter: thither write, my queen,
And with mine eyes I'll drink the words you send,
Though ink be made of gall.
120

[Re-enter QUEEN]

Queen. Be brief, I pray you:
If the king come, I shall incur I know not
How much of his displeasure.
[Aside]125Yet I'll move him
To walk this way: I never do him wrong,
But he does buy my injuries, to be friends;
Pays dear for my offences.

[Exit]

Posthumus Leonatus. Should we be taking leave
As long a term as yet we have to live,
The loathness to depart would grow. Adieu!

Imogen. Nay, stay a little:
Were you but riding forth to air yourself,
135Such parting were too petty. Look here, love;
This diamond was my mother's: take it, heart;
But keep it till you woo another wife,
When Imogen is dead.

Posthumus Leonatus. How, how! another?
140You gentle gods, give me but this I have,
And sear up my embracements from a next
With bonds of death!
[Putting on the ring]Remain, remain thou here
145While sense can keep it on. And, sweetest, fairest,
As I my poor self did exchange for you,
To your so infinite loss, so in our trifles
I still win of you: for my sake wear this;
It is a manacle of love; I'll place it
150Upon this fairest prisoner.

Imogen. Your son's my father's friend; he takes his part.
To draw upon an exile! O brave sir!
I would they were in Afric both together;
Myself by with a needle, that I might prick
The goer-back. Why came you from your master?
220

Pisanio. On his command: he would not suffer me
To bring him to the haven; left these notes
Of what commands I should be subject to,
When 't pleased you to employ me.

Queen. This hath been
225Your faithful servant: I dare lay mine honour
He will remain so.